Northland weather bomb a damp squib apart from one tree down, isolated power cuts

A tree that downed power lines on Jordan Valley Rd was the worst weather-related event in Northland. Photo / John Stone

A tree downing power lines was the only highlight during the predicted weather bomb in Northland that turned out to be more of a damp squib.

Northpower lines' crews were called to Jordan Valley Rd, about 1km from State Highway 1, just after 4pm yesterday after a tree fell across the road on to power lines on the other side. Traffic was diverted through Apotu Rd.

Power to residents along Jordan Valley Rd, Riponui, Matarau and Hukerenui went out at 4.18pm.

With a mostly cloudy day, a fair amount of thunder and intermittent rain that was heavy in isolated places, Northland mostly escaped the strong to gale southwesterlies that hit the lower North Island.

The highest rain of 17.5mm in the 16 hours to 4pm yesterday fell at Puhipuhi followed by 17mm in Taheke. The peak wind gust at Whangarei Airport was 54km/h, and Kerikeri and Kaitaia 50km/h.

Northland Civil Defence was tracking the weather closely but did not expect damage similar to that experienced in the lower North Island.

The weather forced the cancellation of the 11.20am Air New Zealand flight from Auckland into Whangarei but all flights into Kerikeri were on time.

Occasional showers are forecast for Northland for the rest of this week.